There are now two announced candidates in each of the two City Council districts serving the Westside.
Keith King revealed his intentions this week for District 3, as did Joe Barrera for District 1.
King is a former business owner (he started the Waterbed Palace chain), state senator, state representative and School District 12 board member. He also has started four charter schools, including Colorado Springs Early College in 2007, where he still works as administrator.
In an advance statement, King said that the “strong mayor” charter change that Colorado Springs voted in two years ago is having “growing pains” that could be resolved if council were “setting policy and developing strategy, while we leave day-to-day operations in the hands of the Mayor… I want to be there to
help usher the new system into maturity.”
Barrera said in his statement that he has a long city history as a “community leader” who has “strong connections to the many diverse sectors of our community.” Key topics he listed are fire mitigation; economic development; support of parks, police and fire; and additional city review of the “fracking” technique
used in oil and gas exploration.
Previously announced are: District 3 - Jim Bensberg; District 1 - Tim Leigh.
Current D-3 City Councilmember Lisa Czelatdko has not announced if she's running for re-election.
Current D-1 City Councilmember Scott Hente is term-limited.
To become formal candidates, nominating petitions from candidates must be given to the City Clerk's Office by Feb. 6. The election is April 2.